Course Areas: Intellectual Property and Information Law
International Law

Time:1:00p-2:30p TTh Location:3 BLB

Course Outline: This course covers international intellectual property ("IP") law from the following perspectives: (i) international public law, that is, the obligations that exist among sovereign countries and what systems of obligation exist for intellectual property protection; (ii) private international intellectual property law, that is, the acquisition and enforcement of intellectual property rights internationally, such as rights arising under a counties’ patent law, copyright law, or trademark law; and, to a lesser degree (iii) comparative aspects of IP law among the major trading countries or regions of the world. The course is designed to afford the student who intends to practice in IP an acquaintance with key international IP issues, principles and policy questions. The course will impart understanding in these areas using materials such as treaties, cases and commentary, and will focus on the major international systems related to each substantive IP area.

Course Syllabus:

Course Notes: Taught by Professor Jaquelin Lipton This is an LL.M class, and JD students may register, if space is available.

Consultation with Professor Lipton is by appointment only. Students wishing to make an appointment with Professor Lipton should do so by telephone or email.

Subject Organization:

1. Assessment: Assessment will be by 3 hour supervised exam at the end of the semester (worth 90% of the overall grade), with a 10% component of the grade for class participation, including attendance and general participation in class discussions.

2. Reading Materials: The prescribed text is Chow & Lee, INTERNATIONAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: PROBLEMS, CASES, AND MATERIALS (2ed, 2012). All students should have access to a copy of the prescribed text. Additional study materials will be distributed in hard copy and/or via the TWEN website during the semester. Weekly reading assignments will be announced in class and posted on the “Weekly Announcements/Assignments” discussion thread on the TWEN website throughout the semester. The course content will focus on international treatment of key intellectual property rights: copyrights, patents, and trademarks and associated issues.

3. TWEN Website: Students should regularly check the TWEN Website for this subject (at least once a week) for notices and additional reading materials.

Reading Assignment: Please come to the first class prepared to discuss the material in the first chapter of the casebook ie pages 1-42

Please note that there will be no International Intellectual Property class on Tuesday Feb. 5. A make-up class will be scheduled later in the semester.

Prerequisites: Yes IP Survey, or two of Copyright/Patent/Trade Secret, or permission of instructor.

First Day Assignments: Reading Assignment: Please come to the first class prepared to discuss the material in the first chapter of the casebook ie pages 1-42